By Karen Barone
"It's really an ugly block now," said a recent afternoon shopper.
Notably, all three stores have filthy windows and the corner store, formerly Lynbrook Fashions, which closed more than five years ago, still has a sign hanging proudly above, as does Picker's Pharmacy, from just as many years ago.
"In my opinion, the condition that property has been allowed to be kept in is a disgrace," said Bill Gaylor, president of the Lynbrook Chamber of Commerce.
After being vacant for years, the stores, owned by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, were leased about a year ago to Adam Schaap, president of the Long Island Cultural Arts Studio, which is on the east side of the street. Schaap is busy working on the new playhouse and the adjacent building's theater. He is currently using the vacant stores to house props and paraphernalia for his long-awaited cultural arts center.
"I am only allowed to store props, scenery and costumes in those particular properties," said Schaap in defense of complaints that he does not tend to the upkeep of the properties. "I have to wait for the MTA to approve my store-front changes before I am even allowed to submit them to the town of Lynbrook."
Harry Levitt, owner of Mur-Lee's Men's Shop, said he spoke with Schaap through the Business Improvement District and Schaap assured him he would clean up his act, although he doesn't have the money right now. Even though Levitt is patient and sympathetic, he readily admits that "Adam should get in there with a squeegee and clean the windows."
The business closest to the abandoned buildings is Smith's Shoes, which has been at that location for more than 22 years. Owner Marvin Smith is frustrated, and reports that his customers come in and ask what happened to the block. Smith's solution for the neglected storefronts is simple: "Clean the windows and hang a curtain," he says.
Schaap reminds people that his is a non-profit cultural arts organization and that he and his associates have done all the work themselves. "Funding is now at a minimum, but I will be renovating the windows once the project [Fantasy Playhouse] opens," he said.
The business manager of the Fantasy Playhouse, Courtney Schaap, said she is planning to open a vintage photography studio in the old Picker's Pharmacy building. She said she has access to more than 3,000 costumes and props from the theater and would like to open up within the next year, doing period portraits.
"As soon as both the buildings are finished and running at full capacity, we will then have the time and the resources to give curb appeal to the west side," said Mark Weekes, curriculum director for the center.
